Robert Knopf teaches script analysis, directing, and improvisation at University at Buffalo/SUNY, USA where he is Director of Theatre Studies and Professor of Theatre. A theater director, scholar, and writer, Robert Knopf is the author of two books, The Theater and Cinema of Buster Keaton and The Director as Collaborator. He edited Theater and Film and co-edited the seminal two-volume critical anthology,Theater of the Avant-Garde. He has directed plays at Circle-in-the-Square Downtown, Cherry Lane Studio, Paradise Factory, Circle Rep Lab, and New York's historic Town Hall, as well as for National Public Radio.

• Preface Acknowledgements Introduction 1 The World of the Play Given circumstances Previous action Dramaturgy The writing of the play and order of scenes Character Environment 2 Structure and Action Point of attack Number of scenes Number of locations Number of characters Number of plots Type of causality Actions and objectives3 Process Core action Avant-garde4 Blueprints Given circumstances blueprint Character blueprint Relationship blueprint Structure blueprint Environment blueprintAppendicesA. Action Verbs B. Sample Scores Select Bibliography Index Biographical

Script Analysis for Theatre provides excellent techniques developed over a lifetime of work with actors, directors, designers, in the classroom and on stage. The book is seasoned, smart and practical, equipping students with an essential toolbox for engaging with scripts.